SARASOTA—Without last year’s ace Corbin Burnes, the Orioles are looking for a staff leader. The leadership might come from Grayson Rodriguez. Two years ago, Rodriguez thought he would make the team, but after an inconsistent spring training, he was sent to Triple-A Norfolk.

He was quickly recalled after Kyle Bradish was hit by a line drive, and Rodriguez started the sixth game of the 2023 season. After 10 starts and a 7.35 ERA, Rodriguez was sent back to Norfolk at the end of May where he stayed until after the All-Star break.

His second half was far better, with a 2.58 ERA and just three home runs allowed in 76 2/3 innings. Rodriguez allowed five runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the Division Series to Texas.

Last season, Rodriguez was 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA,\ but had two stints on the injured list — a short one in May after six starts because of shoulder inflammation, then a season-ending teres/lat injury that prevented him from starting after July 31^st.

There was talk that Rodriguez could come back to pitch at the end of the season, or in the postseason, but he wasn’t ready. Now, he is.

“Feeling good. At the end of last year, there was a chance I’d come back and throw,” he said. “That was kind of what I was trying to do, but ultimately, it didn’t work out. The first week I got home I was fully cleared by the doctors to move on with the offseason program and everything and didn’t have a problem.”

Rodriguez, who was the Orioles’ top pick in 2018, will be part of a starting rotation that includes Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano.

“I think these guys can handle that,” Rodriguez said about going into 2025 without Burnes. “I think these guys are ready for that. You’re looking at Dean and Ef down there. Bradish will be back. I think we’re really looking forward to it.”

Rodriguez pitched seven innings in two starts while Burnes pitched seven or more nine times. Rodriguez wants to pitch more like Burnes.

“Last year, Corbin Burnes pitched in the sixth and seventh inning a lot simply because he was just going out and going after the hitters,” Rodriguez said. “He wasn’t really around the strike zone. He was right at ‘em. That’s something I think a lot of us are going to be doing this year is just going out there and attacking the zone, not necessarily being around it, but just letting the guys on the field do most of the work.

“It was huge for my career, being able to see somebody like that this early in my career. It was really special for me, seeing how he went around his day, his work, and I think it will help me a lot.”

The 25-year-old right-hander would like to become a leader.

“Going on year three now, have kind of seen some things. Haven’t seen everything, but I’ve kind of learned how to work through struggles,” Rodriguez said. “Every start is not going to be how you want it to be, but taking those bad starts and making them into something good, I think is the big thing. It’s a long season, so being able to stack starts together and go out there and limit the other team to score some runs. Hopefully, you can score enough to win the game.”

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias likes what he sees from Rodriguez.

“He’s in great shape,” Elias said. “We can see that. Certainly has had the stuff, the pedigree, the performance to take it a step forward. I think he’s had some health frustrations the last couple of years that hopefully don’t happen again this year. I’m bullish on him and expect a great season from him.”

Rodriguez is looking forward to the 2025 season.

“You go out and attack every game like it might be your last,” Rodriguez said. “You want to leave everything you have out on the field and you want to be able to handle the pressure. I think that’s something I’m ready for.”

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